Watt-linkage based sensors for low frequency motion measurement and control of spacecrafts and satellites.

In this paper we present preliminary experimental results relative to the application of open loop monolithic folded pendulum sensors to the control of large band multistage suspensions (seismic attenuators) and inertial platforms in the band 0.01 ± 10Hz. In fact, beyond the obvious compactness and robustness of monolithic implementations of folded pendulum, high sensitivity, large measurement band (10−7÷ 100Hz), tunability of the resonance frequency (necessary to adapt the sensors to the mechanics), high sensitive integrated laser optical readout (e.g. optical lever, laser interferometer), and very good immunity to environmental noises are some of the main advantages of this class of sensors. The results are presented and discussed in this paper together with the planned further developments and improvements. © (2014) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.